Over the next two months, UC San Diego will be undergoing an institutionwide Active Directory (AD) password change action. AD accounts provide access to services such as email, Wi-Fi, business applications and department-issued computers. (Business Systems account passwords are not subject to this change.)
This effort is being performed in response to previous and ongoing attacks on accounts. The change includes stricter security measures, as well as increasing the minimum required password length from 7 to 12 characters.
All academics and staff, including those from Health Sciences and UC San Diego Health, will be required to change their AD passwords within the dates noted below, even if their current AD password is 12 characters or longer.
Password Change Schedule
In order to manage the change and ensure excellent support, we’ll be segmenting the community into multiple groups and will communicate directly with users during their change period. We request that you wait until your designated window to make your password change.
- Health Sciences and UC San Diego Health: August 12 to September 22
- Campus Academics and Staff (by last name):
- A through B: August 18 to September 8
- C through G: August 25 to September 15
- H through N: September 1 to September 22
- O through Z: September 8 to September 29
Student password changes will be handled separately during Fall Quarter 2021.
How to Change Your AD Password
Before starting, be sure to thoroughly read the instructions at the links below:
Campus academics and staff:
https://blink.ucsd.edu/technology/network/access/ad/reset-password-ad.html
Health Sciences and UC San Diego Health:
https://itss.ucsd.edu/TipsandTricks/Pages/Changing-Your-AD-Password.aspx
Note: Health Sciences and UC San Diego Health users will change their @ucsd.edu AD passwords, and the new password will automatically update their @health.ucsd.edu account.
Enhanced AD Password Resiliency And General Password Guidance
To counteract ongoing threats, we have implemented the following changes to increase campus password resiliency:
- All AD passwords must be a minimum of 12 characters in length. Some areas of campus have longer password requirements, and the minimum for each user will be displayed during the change process.
- Any password known to be available on the dark web or that has been part of a previous compromise will be rejected, even if that password meets the password formation criteria.
- The password change site, password.ucsd.edu, is now protected by two-step login.
Additionally, please follow the below guidance on establishing and managing your password.
- Use a passphrase - it’s more secure than a password and easier to remember
- Do not use your university password for any of your personal accounts
- Use a password manager. LastPass is available for free to all faculty, staff, and students at UC San Diego. Visit lastpass.ucsd.edu to get started.
We will never ask you for your password. If you receive a suspicious email, please forward it to abuse@ucsd.edu. Learn how to identify phishing scams at: https://blink.ucsd.edu/technology/security/user-guides/phishing.html.
Help and Support
Please reach out to your respective service teams for assistance or questions.
Main Campus
Web: support.ucsd.edu/its
Email: servicedesk@ucsd.edu
Phone: 858-246-4357
Health Sciences and UC San Diego Health
Web: 3help.ucsd.edu
Email: 3help@ucsd.edu
Phone: 619-543-4357 or Ext. 3-HELP
